Thermal Energy Network (TEN): Waste Heat: A bidirectional, single pipe of ambient-temperature water (~45–70°F) connects building heat pumps with decentralized thermal energy sources, such as waste water or waste heat from buildings and industrial processes. Buildings replace combustion appliances like furnaces with ground-source heat pumps.
Distribution Approach: Ambient temperature water pipe
Energy Source: Waste heat + electric grid
Geothermal Network (GEN): Earth Heat: A bidirectional, single pipe of ambient-temperature water (~45–70°F) connects building heat pumps with decentralized geothermal resources, accessed via shallow boreholes, aquifers, lakes, or other forms of earth heat.
Distribution Approach: Ambient temperature water pipe
Energy Source: Geothermal resources + electric grid
District Energy: District heating and cooling systems transport energy from a centralized production location, such as a boiler or chiller plant, to buildings via multiple pipes. Most of these systems only heat, using water at relatively high temperatures (~77-194° F). All sites featured here use renewable energy to power these central systems.
Distribution Approach: Hot water pipes or hot and chilled water pipes
Energy Source: Renewable sources, including geothermal or waste heat recovery
Electric Network: A coordinated, community-scale energy transition in which buildings depart from the gas system and rely on their area's electric grid. Combustion appliances are replaced with electric appliances such as air source heat pumps for space and water heating, and electric appliances for cooking and laundry.
Distribution Approach: Electric Grid
Energy Source: Electric Grid
To Be Determined: Projects may be in development, and their final system design is still unknown.
Project Status
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What does each status mean?
Operational: The project is functional and delivering energy to customers or residents.
Under Construction: The project is under construction.
Design Phase: The project's engineering specifications are being developed. Community leaders, businesses, or organizers may also be conducting outreach to impacted customers or residents.
Filed: A utility company has formally submitted its intent to complete the project to a regulatory body for review and approval.
Feasibility: The project is in the preliminary planning stage. Stakeholders are evaluating technical, financial, and community impacts to determine if the project is viable. (We have identified over 70 feasibility studies, which will be added to this map in future.)
Ownership Type
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What's included in each ownership type?
Community: Owned by residents, local organizations or entities, or cooperatives.
Commercial: Owned by a private business or corporation.
Gas Utility: Owned by a utility company transitioning to alternative energy delivery.
Hospital: Owned or operated by a healthcare facility or campus.
Military: Owned by a branch of the military or a defense-related organization.
Public Institution: Owned by a government agency, municipal government, or other public-sector entity (excluding public universities).
Thermal Utility: Owned by a utility company specializing in heating and cooling services.
University or College: Owned by a university or college.